Common names | blue lotus, Egyptian blue water lily

Scientific name | Nymphaea caerulea

Used part | Flower

Known active compounds | quercetin derivatives, kaempferol derivatives, gallic acid, beta-sitosterol

Potential benefits in cosmetics | anti-oxidant

Product name | Blue Lotus-APD, Blue Lotus-ANB

Plant Story

Nymphaea caerulea, commonly known as blue lotus or Egyptian blue water lily, is an aquatic plant known for its blue or blue-purple flowers. In ancient Egypt, the blue lotus held great cultural and religious significance as it was used in various religious rituals and ceremonies. Traditionally, N. caerulea has been used as a sedative, analgesic, and mild psychoactive substance. It was believed to induce relaxation, relieve anxiety, and enhance mood. Dried blue lotus flowers can be used to make herbal teas or infusions for their calming effect.

It was reported that the flowers of N. caerulea contain phytochemical constituents including quercetin derivatives, kaempferol derivatives, myricetin derivatives, gallic acid, beta-sitosterol, beta-sitosterol palmitate, p-coumaric acid and 4-methoxy benzoic acid. The anti-oxidant activities of flower extracts together with these compounds were evaluated by determining the inhibition of ROS generation in HL-60 cells.